Whenever we hear the name Lamborghini, certain qualities often come to our minds. These include luxury, speed and power; but definitely not economy. But future Lambo cars may soon be branded differently as the Italian supercar maker might be considering going green.

The Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4, which was unveiled at this year’s Paris Auto Show is the company’s first hybrid super car. The vehicle features four engines: a V10 aspirated engine and 3 electric motors that can work in three modes delivering either economy or blistering speed.

Drivers can use either the V10 engine only for that typical Lamborghini feel, use the 3 electric front-drive engines for a more gas-efficient drive or better yet, combine the power of both the gas electric engine to generate over 900 horsepower giving the car a top speed of around 320kph.

The car’s body is made up of a mixture of carbon fiber and aluminum. Other notable features of the Asterion include carbo-ceramic brakes and a plug-in mode to easily charge the car’s lithium battery.

A very important factor in developing racing games specifically meant for high-performance gaming consoles is that its ability to imitate real-life objects such as the cars and racing track used in the game.

The Gran Turismo series of racing games specifically created for Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation consoles have slowly but surely achieved this feat with impressive graphics that seemingly copy reality.

But what if the tides were suddenly turned and it’s now life imitating art? Well, believe it or not, designers from Mercedes-Benz just did that when they developed the visionary sports car – the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo based on the PS3 racing game Gran Turismo 6.

The car was made as a 1:1 scale model and was unveiled at the LA auto show and now resides at the company’s new Research and Development Centre in Sunnyvale, California. It features a flowing tear drop design, uses angled headlamps and sports a prominent grille lined with LEDs that can show different patterns.

Suzuki may not be the most popular brand of cars in the Philippines today but it slowly catching up with other bigger names in the industry especially now that the company is expanding its line up with the new Alto 800 and Swift Dzire.

The Alto 800 is a refresh from one of Suzuki’s most popular and fastest-selling cars and exhibits a “wavefront”-designed exterior with elegant and smooth curves. The vehicle is styled around the key concepts of safety and utility and exudes a refined exterior look with fresh and spacious interiors. The new Alto is over 15% more fuel efficient and has 11% more torque that its predecessor. It also offers the best-in-its-class mileage with an average of 22.74mpg.

Then there’s the Swift Dzire which offers the power and efficiency motorists look for in a car. It has elegant and ergonomically-designed interiors complemented with its performance features that deliver superior comfort and efficiency. Under the hood, the Swift Dzire is powered by a Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine that gives better power, smoother acceleration and quicker response time.

The Alto 800 STD (Standard) will be available in silver or whit3e, while the Alto 800 DLX (Deluxe) will come in red, gray, blue and white colors and will retail at P380,000 and P438,000 respectively. The Swift Dzire on the other hand will be available in blue, gray, silver and white colors and will cost around P568,000. Both models are already available at Suzuki dealers near you.

For more information about the Suzuki Alto 800 and the Swift Dzire, you can visit the compay’s website at http://www. Suzuki.com.ph

In the digital age, cars or automobiles are no longer built just for the purpose of transporting people or hauling goods. The discovery of electricity and the invention of gadgets and computers have changed how people and manufacturers view cars. Gone are the days when cars were just seats placed on four wheels and the only electric gadgets in it are lights and a radio.

Cars these days host a massive array of high-tech equipment that not only provides entertainment to the car’s driver and passengers but also take command of certain key components of the vehicle such as transmission, breaking and even safety. These technologies along with the cars that feature them are usually unveiled at an event usually sponsored by carmakers themselves or at auto shows or salons across the globe. And one highly recognised motor shows in the world for the past century has been the Geneva motor show.

The International Geneva Motor show (Salon International de l’Auto) is an annual motor show held every March in the Geneva Switzerland. It is organised by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles and has been the venue for numerous announcements and unveilings for different car manufacturers. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo which is located right beside the Geneva Cointrin International Airport.

And today, we’ll be featuring some of the cars showcased in this year’s Geneva motor show. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.

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ALFA ROMEO 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C made its debut two years ago at the 81^st Geneva motor show as a concept. This year, Alfa Romeo finally unveiled the production version of the 4C. This car is a mid-engine, two-seater sports car that sports a 205kW turbo engine with dual-clutch gear box. It has rear-wheel drive and was designed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Alfa Romeo Centro Stile.

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McLAREN P1

The P1 is a hybrid supercar produced by McLaren Automotive and is generally considered as the successor of the McLaren F1. The P1’s styling was influenced by the McLaren MP4-12C but with added body panels that make the car look more aggressive. It is a mid-engine, rear wheel drive car that uses a carbon fibre monocoque body.

The P1 features a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine with 727 bhp. It also has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that gives it a power output of 913 bhp at 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 900Nm. The McLaren P1 will go from 0-100kph in less than 3 seconds, 0-200kph in under 7 seconds and 0-300kph in less than 17 seconds.

Only 375 McLaren P1s will be made to maintain its exclusivity and will cost around 1.2 million USD (approximately 51 million Pesos) 

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CORVETTE STINGRAY

Another automotive icon showcased at this year’s Geneva motor show is the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. This two-seater sports car features a motorised fabric hood, a 6.2-litre V8 engine and a six-speed manual/auto transmission.

The stingray’s body is made from aluminium which makes it 99 pounds lighter than the C6 Corvette Convertible and yet it manages to have its body 57% stiffer than the C6 convertible.

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LAMBORGHINI VENENO

The Lamborghini Veneno is a limited production sports car based from the Lamborghini Aventador and was built to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the company. The engine of this car is a development of the Aventador’s V12 and will produce 740 bhp. Only three Venenos will be produced, which will be coloured in green, white and red to represent the colours of the Italian flag.

All three cars will be retained by the company’s factory and will be displayed in its museum. The three production cards will cost around 3.8 million USD each (approximately 157 million pesos).

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LAFERRARI by FERRARI

The La Ferrari (F70/F150) is the successor of the Ferrari Enzo and is meant to be the ultimate fusion of sports car and F1 technology. The LaFerrari is a hybrid car that sports a normally aspirated V12 engine that is complemented by a 120 kW electric motor that produces a combined output of 950 horsepower.

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TOYOTA iROAD

The Toyota iRoad is the Japanese carmaker’s personal mobility vehicle. It features an all –electric power train powered by a lithium-ion battery which provides power to a pair of 2kW electric motors mounted in the front wheels. It provides seating for two passengers in a sort-off jet fighter fashion. The iRoad is more of a tricycle than a car as it has 3 wheels which are arranged in a similar way as that of a Carver One.

So which car made you say wow? Do tell us by leaving a comment below. You can also find TFL on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Google Plus. Do also subscribe to our blog for other Filipino lifestyle stories.

The brand Rolls Royce has always been associated with ultra-luxury sedans and four door cars that service the extremely famous and wealthy. TV personalities such as American rapper Jay-Z and talk show host and car enthusiast Jay Leno have been known to own such cars. And even the royal family of different countries in different times have used a Rolls Royce.

And most of the time, a Rolls Royce is a kind of car that people would want to ridden as these cars are usually fitted with technology and materials that make them very cozy and comfortable, unlike other more spirited brands such as BMW and Porsche.

But now, it seems the British carmaker would like to branch into a more driver-oriented segment with the Rolls Royce Wraith which was unveiled in this year’s Geneva Autoshow. The Wraith is a rare specimen not only in the carmakers lineup but also within its market segment – the ultra-luxury performance sports cars. Its main proportions are highlighted by its pushed back cabin, high waist line, arched roofline and tapered rear end.

The car come with a 624 bhp twin turbo V12 engine that is capable of reaching 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds. It has a top speed of up to 250 km/h and 800Nm of torque.

In terms of interiors, the Wraith will not disappoint Rolls Royce fans and previous owners. The cabin is lined with materials inspired by luxury yachts and includes distinctive details such as a Starlight headliner and of course plenty of high quality leather and wood.

But probably the most techy feature of the Wraith is its satellite aided Transmission that uses GPS data to see beyond what the driver sees. The system anticipates the driver’s next move based on location and current driving style, selects the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead.

The Rolls Royce Wraith will cost around 245,000 euros and will most likely be just a dream for most motorist. But for those who can afford it, this gorgeous tech on wheels along with its iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is enough to tell anyone that you have arrived.

Any thoughts or comments on the new Rolly Royce Wraith? Share them with us by leaving a comment below. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more Filipino lifestyle stories.

For most Filipinos, part of their lifelong dream, aside from having their own house, is to be able to own their own car. A car is probably one of the most sought after good that a Filipino would buy as it embodies financial success and provides its owner a “cool” way of leaving a first impression to other people.

That is the reason why young boys put posters of sports cars in their bedrooms and even girls have cars for their dolls. But when they’re all grown up, most Pinoys would go and search for a real car for them to drive. And this is where car shows on TV come in. By providing information on the latest trends and car models that are currently out in the market, these TV shows are helping a lot of people, especially those who are not usually informed about this topic.

So here are a few examples of the best car shows on Philippine TV that has helped a lot of consumers when choosing the right car for their needs.

TOP GEAR – Top gear was the definitive car show that provides viewers with a comprehensive and unbiased take on the latest supercars and entry level cars that has rolled out from the production line. The show was already shown in different parts of the globe and has been distributed and reproduced in various TV stations all over the world.

The most popular Top Gear show was that from the news channel – BBC. The show was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, which first aired in 1977 and then later re-launched in 2002. The show’s very straight forward hosts as well as the different challenges and/or obstacles in which the presenters put the week’s car to the test are what make the show very entertaining and informative.

And if that’s not enough, there are always there very cinematic shots of cars and of course the very famous Stig – the show’s in house expert driver who wears a white jumpsuit with white helmet and drives each featured car in a power lap, the results of which are placed at the end of the show in a lap board to be compared to other supercars previously featured in the show.

DRIVE It! by DWTV – Drive It! Is a motoring TV show produced by Germany’s broadcasting company – Deutsche Welle. The format of the show is unlike that of Top Gear as it presents news and features about cars in a more journalistic type of presentation. For starters, Drive It! also showcases different motoring news happening all over the world such as motor shows, car launches and announcements, exhibits and other events.

Drive It! also features more entry-level cars than the occasional super luxury cars. The show is shown in English on Net25 on local TV channels and in Deutsche Welle channel both in English or German.

FIFTH GEAR – Fifth gear is another motor show produced in the UK. It is hosted by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Jason Plato and acts as the main competitor of BBC’s Top Gear. The show also follows almost the same format as Top Gear and features mostly high-end luxury and performance cars thought they occasionally feature more affordable cars.

Notable highlights of the show include Vicki-Butler Henderson’s regular segment called shoot-out where she puts two cars head to head in a timed lap in the show’s own track. Fifth gear also prides itself in cross-country and out of the country challenges which test the cars they feature in the show in terms of performance, reliability, economy and practicality. The show is still on air today and is shown on Discovery’s own motoring channel – Discovery Turbo.

MOTORING TODAY – Motoring today is a car show hosted by Ray Butch Gamboa. In terms of format, the show is similar to that of Drive It! and provides information through a journalist’s point of view. Presentation of the cars focuses more on the specs and technical side of each vehicle rather than the look and appeal, which is the focus of other shows like Fifth Gear and Top Gear.

In addition, Motoring today only features and enumerates the specifications of a specific car and the show’s host merely drives the featured car in order to show how it looks and gives a general description of how the vehicle performs. The show is still aired on NBN Channel 4 on local TV and on Solar Sports if you have cable.

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Asian car brands especially those from Japan and Korea have always been known for the reliability, practicality and of course their affordability.  But, unlike their European rivals, that exude class and sophistication, these cars’ design and features are a little bit on the cheap side.

However, all that is about to change with the arrival of the newest generation of cars from Korea and Japan. Take for example Kia’s newest flagship model – the Optima, a car that according to its manufacturer offers a no compromise car for the hardworking Filipino.

Design-wise, the Optima is one of the most attractive looking cars that South Korea has sent the Philippines. At first glance, the car looks expensive with its European styling. In fact, the entire look of the Optima is complete divergence from the styling used in previous Kia cars.

The face of the car has a meaner look while the sides have very elegant curves. The side air intake located just a few inches from the front car doors are reminiscent of English styling found in luxury car brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar. The back section on the other hand looks like something taken from some German or French carmaker.

The interiors have also been restyled. Prospective buyers of the car can now choose whether to have raschel cloth or leather for the car’s interiors. There are also wood and (faux) carbon fiber finishes for the car’s dashboard. And when it comes to entertainment, the Optima boasts an in-glass radio antenna, a USB port, AM/FM radio with 6 speakers, CD player, MP3 player and wireless communication access for Bluetooth enabled devices.

Safety and extra drive features of the Optima can also rival those from other European models. It has a tire pressure monitor, cruise control, tachometer, exterior temperature gauge, and a trip computer for monitoring several aspects of the car’s performance. The Optima also has several airbags and 3-point seatbelts for front and rear passengers.

Cargo space for the Optima is around 15.43 cu. ft. while fuel economy is estimated at 22-35 miles per gallon, which is dependent on the model and driving style.

In terms of suspension, the car is equipped with independent MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers, while the rear has independent multi-link suspension. The base model – LX has a sportmatic manually interactive automatic transmission with adaptive automatic transmission. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC engine with 200hp at 6300rpm.

But if you’re not sure if all these options are really worth it, the Optima’s 5-year warranty might change that. And with prices ranging from $21,000-$28,000 (approximately PHP800,000++), this car is definitely a bargain compared to other brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi.

Whenever someone talks about luxury cars, it usually conjures images of automobiles designed by in-house professional designers or other famous design houses like Pininfarina or GiuGiaro. But what if I told you that there is a car out there that is stylish, powerful and at the same time practical that was designed by a Spice Girl.

Everyone, meet Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque Special Edition – the car designed by no other than Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh Spice.

The Evoque is a compact SUV that comes in either a 3-door or 5-door model. The Special edition Evoque designed by Beckham was based on the 3-door coupe model. The design of the Evoque was primarily designed for urban buyers who, at the same time, are looking for a car with off-roading capabilities but have less CO2 emissions.

The car was first announced in April 2012 at the Beijing Motor Show and features three rose gold accents inspired by Beckham’s rose gold men’s watch which she wore when she first entered the design studio for the project.

The sport seats are finished with a semi-aniline vintage tan leather with hand-finished “baseball” stitch. The same stitching continues over the door inserts, armrests and the lid of the central storage unit.

Piano black veneer was used on the centre console, door handles and air vents. The Evoque also has mohair floor mats, a microsude headliner and an exclusive luggage set lined with the same material as the headliner.

Performance wise, this special edition evoque will still use the same 2.0-litre petrol engine linked to a six-speed automatic paddle-shift gearbox. It will also feature Land Rover’s MagneRide dampers which is incorporated in the Terrain Response and Adaptive dynamics System. 0-100kph is around 7.6 seconds with fuel consumption at 8.7 litres per 100km.

Only 200 of this special edition Evoques will be made with each having a price tag of US$128,648.